Daniel
Read Chapter 18
The Greatest Statement Ever
"if we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:17-18
"but even if he doesn't"
As a teacher in the 70’s and 80’s an English teacher friend of mine down the hall faced the untimely death of his wife leaving him with two little children to raise alone. Our friendship grew and he accepted Christ as his Savior.
His grief was excruciating. After a year or two at a bonfire one night, John felt that he wanted to share this passage from Daniel with us. In doing so, he chose to be where he was, expect nothing more and to make Jesus not just his Savior but also his Lord. Ironically in expecting nothing more, he received more than he could have ever imagined.
Prayer
Lord, I admit it’s easier to say this having lost much instead of having gained much. Father protect me from the blinding enchantment of this material world. Yes, thank you for pain that disenchants . Amen”
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Daniel
Read Chapter 18
The King of Babylon chose the best of the Jewish exiles to serve him personally.
“young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. They were to learn the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service."
“Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine . . . At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food” Daniel 1:4-5, 8, 16
How should a First Round Draft Pick act when he gets to training camp?
Daniel was the “Tim Tebow” of the Jewish Exiles. Daniel was not only the first round draft pick of Nebuchadnezzar, he was also a first round pick of God. In other words God put him in that position. Why? Because God knew his character. As it turned out Daniel honored God to point of disobeying his Babylonian superiors when it meant eliminating the signs of his covenantal relationship with God, in this case dietary practices. Doing this further enable him to maintain his dependence on God and not on his hosts who would try to “woo” him into their service as opposed to the service of God.
The New Testament says we, too, are first round draft picks, picked to honor God in the training camp we now find ourselves. If you’re having trouble staying faithful note vs. 8 above. Faithfulness has its perks.
Prayer
“Lord, I ask you today to give me the courage, self forgetfulness, perseverance, trust in you and thick enough skin to live for you. . . . . .at home, at work, where I live . . . . . . . .this week. Amen”
Read Chapter 18
The King of Babylon chose the best of the Jewish exiles to serve him personally.
“young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. They were to learn the language and literature of the Babylonians. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king's table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king's service."
“Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine . . . At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food” Daniel 1:4-5, 8, 16
How should a First Round Draft Pick act when he gets to training camp?
Daniel was the “Tim Tebow” of the Jewish Exiles. Daniel was not only the first round draft pick of Nebuchadnezzar, he was also a first round pick of God. In other words God put him in that position. Why? Because God knew his character. As it turned out Daniel honored God to point of disobeying his Babylonian superiors when it meant eliminating the signs of his covenantal relationship with God, in this case dietary practices. Doing this further enable him to maintain his dependence on God and not on his hosts who would try to “woo” him into their service as opposed to the service of God.
The New Testament says we, too, are first round draft picks, picked to honor God in the training camp we now find ourselves. If you’re having trouble staying faithful note vs. 8 above. Faithfulness has its perks.
Prayer
“Lord, I ask you today to give me the courage, self forgetfulness, perseverance, trust in you and thick enough skin to live for you. . . . . .at home, at work, where I live . . . . . . . .this week. Amen”
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Kingdom Falls
Chapter 17
Why Do Horror Films Love Cemeteries, Ghosts, and Zombies?
"there was a noise (in the valley of dry bones), a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, . . . and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet--a vast army." Ezekiel 37:4-10 (NIV)
The human mind can conceive of nothing except in reference to God's Truth!
The horror flicks simply build on something we all know deep down within. . . . that cemeteries are not the end of the story. Every culture everywhere in all of human history has constructed a belief in life beyond the grave. The horror flicks simply twist and horriblize what each of us “knows”.
While Hollywood plays on our fears, God plays on our hopes, dreams and godly imagination. One day, Ezekiel sees, Israel will be bodily resurrected and along with her, the entire planet. The dry bones of this gray life will be resurrected into a new creation of vivid color, concrete reality, and the consummate freedom of perfected obedience. (I stole that really cool last phrase from CS Lewis)
When you look at a cemetery and think “is this how it all ends”, think again . . .not of zombies, but of the new creation. Ezekiel saw it and what he saw has compelled believers for more than 2 millenia.
Prayer
"Lord, I believe. Make this my life today full by preparing me for the next one. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen”
Chapter 17
Why Do Horror Films Love Cemeteries, Ghosts, and Zombies?
"there was a noise (in the valley of dry bones), a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, . . . and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet--a vast army." Ezekiel 37:4-10 (NIV)
The human mind can conceive of nothing except in reference to God's Truth!
The horror flicks simply build on something we all know deep down within. . . . that cemeteries are not the end of the story. Every culture everywhere in all of human history has constructed a belief in life beyond the grave. The horror flicks simply twist and horriblize what each of us “knows”.
While Hollywood plays on our fears, God plays on our hopes, dreams and godly imagination. One day, Ezekiel sees, Israel will be bodily resurrected and along with her, the entire planet. The dry bones of this gray life will be resurrected into a new creation of vivid color, concrete reality, and the consummate freedom of perfected obedience. (I stole that really cool last phrase from CS Lewis)
When you look at a cemetery and think “is this how it all ends”, think again . . .not of zombies, but of the new creation. Ezekiel saw it and what he saw has compelled believers for more than 2 millenia.
Prayer
"Lord, I believe. Make this my life today full by preparing me for the next one. In Jesus’ holy name. Amen”
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The Kingdom Falls
Chapter 17
Behind Anger is Much Pain
“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and consider, search through her squares.
If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth,
I will forgive this city.
But if you do not listen,
I will weep in secret because of your pride;
my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears,
because the LORD's flock will be taken captive” Jeremiah 5:1; 13:17
Reflection
I once a saw an absolutely furious woman screaming at the top of her lungs, threatening doom on her teenage son (and she was one to carry out her threats!). Her last words at the top of her lungs were “I love you”. It was a profound expression of true love. She couldn’t stand what he was doing to himself and his family.
Can human or divine love go together with human or divine anger and even punishment? Can God’s love even exist without divine vengeance against those who do violence against others?
In today’s passage we see the heart of God that is behind his judgments. Did you know that God “weeps secretly because of your rebellious pride?” Divine love and divine anger are two sides of the same coin.
Prayer
“Lord, it hurts to see how my rebellion breaks your heart. Forgive me for being so selfish and self absorbed with my rights and my problems. You loved me first, before I ever knew you. Amen”
Chapter 17
Behind Anger is Much Pain
“Go up and down the streets of Jerusalem,
look around and consider, search through her squares.
If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth,
I will forgive this city.
But if you do not listen,
I will weep in secret because of your pride;
my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears,
because the LORD's flock will be taken captive” Jeremiah 5:1; 13:17
Reflection
I once a saw an absolutely furious woman screaming at the top of her lungs, threatening doom on her teenage son (and she was one to carry out her threats!). Her last words at the top of her lungs were “I love you”. It was a profound expression of true love. She couldn’t stand what he was doing to himself and his family.
Can human or divine love go together with human or divine anger and even punishment? Can God’s love even exist without divine vengeance against those who do violence against others?
In today’s passage we see the heart of God that is behind his judgments. Did you know that God “weeps secretly because of your rebellious pride?” Divine love and divine anger are two sides of the same coin.
Prayer
“Lord, it hurts to see how my rebellion breaks your heart. Forgive me for being so selfish and self absorbed with my rights and my problems. You loved me first, before I ever knew you. Amen”
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
The Kingdom Falls
Chapter 17
Jeremiah Didn't Stand a Chance
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5
God has predestined you, too, but it's up to you what you do with it.
Dateline 595 BC: Jeremiah is roaming the streets of Jerusalem seeing desolation and decay everywhere and he knows why. His people had simply abandoned God. He exhorts, he pleads, but to no avail. Years before he had been selected by God to warn and cajole to bring the people back to God. God had also told him that it wouldn’t work. Yet he was called and he was obedient.
You and I have also been predestined by God to serve him in some special way (Romans 8:28-30 and Ephesians 2:8-10). And even though most our obedience will look ineffective, it nevertheless matters.
PRAYER
“Father please help me to let go of my perception of effectiveness for you and simply obey, trusting that what you want is faithfulness, not ‘success’ Amen”
Chapter 17
Jeremiah Didn't Stand a Chance
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah 1:5
God has predestined you, too, but it's up to you what you do with it.
Dateline 595 BC: Jeremiah is roaming the streets of Jerusalem seeing desolation and decay everywhere and he knows why. His people had simply abandoned God. He exhorts, he pleads, but to no avail. Years before he had been selected by God to warn and cajole to bring the people back to God. God had also told him that it wouldn’t work. Yet he was called and he was obedient.
You and I have also been predestined by God to serve him in some special way (Romans 8:28-30 and Ephesians 2:8-10). And even though most our obedience will look ineffective, it nevertheless matters.
PRAYER
“Father please help me to let go of my perception of effectiveness for you and simply obey, trusting that what you want is faithfulness, not ‘success’ Amen”
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The Kingdom Falls
Chapter 17
When Hope Dies
Dateline 597 BC:
“Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king's mother, his wives, his officials and the leading men of the land” 2 Kings 24:15(NIV)
Background
In Judah, the southern kingdom, the father-not-like-son pattern continued. Hezekiah, a godly king, was followed by his son, Manasseh, who did evil. His son, Josiah was a hero. Josiah discovered the long lost of book of Deuteronomy (perhaps the whole Pentateuch), was astonished at how Judah had strayed and reinstituted biblical worship of Jahweh. His son Jehoahaz was a disaster and the last kings, Jehoiakin, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah were essentially vassals of Babyon.
The end was on the horizon.
One and only one Glimmer of Hope
In 597, 10 years before Judah’s final defeat, thousands of Jews were deported to Bablyon among whom was Ezekiel. He continued to prophecy doom, but never is doom proclaimed without right in the middle of it a pointer to the bigger truth of the upper story. God will repair all that is broken.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws”
Ezekiel 36:25-28
Prayer
"Lord, thank you for the reminder that the old saying ‘it is always darkest before the dawn’ contains a greater truth. But it’s not automatic. It’s true for me only insofar as I put my trust in you. Amen”
Chapter 17
When Hope Dies
Dateline 597 BC:
“Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king's mother, his wives, his officials and the leading men of the land” 2 Kings 24:15(NIV)
Background
In Judah, the southern kingdom, the father-not-like-son pattern continued. Hezekiah, a godly king, was followed by his son, Manasseh, who did evil. His son, Josiah was a hero. Josiah discovered the long lost of book of Deuteronomy (perhaps the whole Pentateuch), was astonished at how Judah had strayed and reinstituted biblical worship of Jahweh. His son Jehoahaz was a disaster and the last kings, Jehoiakin, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah were essentially vassals of Babyon.
The end was on the horizon.
One and only one Glimmer of Hope
In 597, 10 years before Judah’s final defeat, thousands of Jews were deported to Bablyon among whom was Ezekiel. He continued to prophecy doom, but never is doom proclaimed without right in the middle of it a pointer to the bigger truth of the upper story. God will repair all that is broken.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws”
Ezekiel 36:25-28
Prayer
"Lord, thank you for the reminder that the old saying ‘it is always darkest before the dawn’ contains a greater truth. But it’s not automatic. It’s true for me only insofar as I put my trust in you. Amen”
Monday, January 23, 2012
The Kingdom Falls
Chapter 17
Is it ever too late to repent?
“The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God." 2 Chronicles 33:10-13(NIV)
Does God save evil people?
Manasseh reinstated idol worship in Judah. He sacrificed his son to Molech. He built idols and altars to other gods in the temple. He practiced divination and sorcery. 2 Kings 21:16 tells us that “Manasseh shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem end to end.” (During January, Sanctity of Human Life month, you and I should pause and ponder our complicity in the shedding of innocent blood).
As a result Manasseh was punished by God. Did God do this to him or did he simply experience the natural consequences of his actions? Is there a difference?
Manasseh was a brutal, evil man, and he suffered for it. Yet he repented and did so sincerely. Did God forgive him and give him a second chance? Reread the above passage and find out.
Was it too late for him to repent? No. Was it too late to save those for whom he was responsible? Yes. Salvation is about a lot more than me.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to see my own evil before it's too late . . .for others. Amen”
Chapter 17
Is it ever too late to repent?
“The LORD spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. So the LORD brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. And when he prayed to him, the LORD was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God." 2 Chronicles 33:10-13(NIV)
Does God save evil people?
Manasseh reinstated idol worship in Judah. He sacrificed his son to Molech. He built idols and altars to other gods in the temple. He practiced divination and sorcery. 2 Kings 21:16 tells us that “Manasseh shed so much innocent blood that he filled Jerusalem end to end.” (During January, Sanctity of Human Life month, you and I should pause and ponder our complicity in the shedding of innocent blood).
As a result Manasseh was punished by God. Did God do this to him or did he simply experience the natural consequences of his actions? Is there a difference?
Manasseh was a brutal, evil man, and he suffered for it. Yet he repented and did so sincerely. Did God forgive him and give him a second chance? Reread the above passage and find out.
Was it too late for him to repent? No. Was it too late to save those for whom he was responsible? Yes. Salvation is about a lot more than me.
Prayer
Lord, please help me to see my own evil before it's too late . . .for others. Amen”
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